we'd probably be about 9-1 or 8-2 at worst. What a shame it is to see such a good offense go to waste. Our defense is quite nauseating to say the least. We need a new coordinator or Bowles needs to go. I know part of it is injuries, but I see far too often just poor scheming. Guys running free all over the place. I bet we are the worst in the league at covering anyone.
Frustrating for sure.
they are trying
”What it does allow Todd Bowles and the Bucs to do is potentially play more of a dime package on defense which would use six defensive backs, one linebacker and four defensive lineman to rush after the quarterback. The Bucs have done this a little bit this season but not much based on the personnel that Bowles trusts to get it done.”
The defense has been really bad. When i checked the advanced stats, TB was bottom-5 in a lot of metrics. And I saw a lot of 32nds, 31sts, 29ths in there.
That said, when I watched the replay of the KC and the SF games, it's evident that Bowles has been trying to adjust. In the SF game he did call a lot more man coverage in the first half. He sent LVD on a couple blitzes early in the game. Which is probably pretty risky, considering LVD is probably his best coverage LB at the moment. But TB's zone coverages are awful. Players just aren't executing at an acceptable level. There's obvious miscommunications issues nearly every time in zone, leading to blown coverages inside and outside. A lot of these issues are directly related to youth/inexperience, so they should get better at some point. But will it be soon enough, is the question. Or even this season.
we'd probably be about 9-1 or 8-2 at worst. What a shame it is to see such a good offense go to waste. Our defense is quite nauseating to say the least. We need a new coordinator or Bowles needs to go. I know part of it is injuries, but I see far too often just poor scheming. Guys running free all over the place. I bet we are the worst in the league at covering anyone.
With even a borderline competent HC, this team has a winning record and we're leading the division.
"The Bucs have allowed the second-most points this year, the second-most total yards and the second-most passing yards. The bread-and-butter of a Bowles defense is stopping the run. The Bucs rank No. 16 in total yards rushing defense and No. 27 in yards per carry allowed."
A couple things stand out about the running against our defense
In early wins we are in the lead or very close at half , so other team is not running as much
Cannot stop running QBs
Stats skewed a bit by 169 yards by Henry and running Qbs
Britt was supposed to at least be a run stopper.
we'd probably be about 9-1 or 8-2 at worst. What a shame it is to see such a good offense go to waste. Our defense is quite nauseating to say the least. We need a new coordinator or Bowles needs to go. I know part of it is injuries, but I see far too often just poor scheming. Guys running free all over the place. I bet we are the worst in the league at covering anyone.
With even a borderline competent HC, this team has a winning record and we're leading the division.
yeah that is interesting and true if we had just an average head coach.
We probably flip one of the falcons games and one of the KC/SF games to a win...so 6-4 instead of 4-6 and leading the division.
We probably flip one of the falcons games and one of the KC/SF games to a win...so 6-4 instead of 4-6 and leading the division.
Exactly.
I'd say 7-3.
The defensive lapse was caused by cap restrictions that kept us from filling out key positions. I actually don’t think a different DC or HC would have made any difference, especially once the injuries mounted.
Tough reality. I can make the case that if this band-aided defense was at full strength we could have won 2 to 3 additional games.
The fact that two receivers went down in a meaningless game is as much on the OC as the HC…and I doubt anyone could have talked Mike Evans or Chris Godwin off the field in that game.
It still really comes down to how we do over the course of the remaining schedule that will determine Bowles and Coen’s future.
I can make the case that if this band-aided defense was at full strength we could have won 2 to 3 additional games.
SR has an article up about the Bucs trying to bring Vi Jones along as their MLB
"Part of the reason for Jones’ lack of playing time is that he’s still learning the middle linebacker position. Jones played weakside and strongside linebacker at N.C. State and is still learning the nuances of playing in the middle at the NFL level. In Bowles’ defense he asks a lot of his middle linebackers in terms of run fits, coverage drops and blitzes."
we went from SB-era Devin White to Devin White head case to SV Dennis doing 2/3rd of thoe things, Britt the other 1/3 to Britt 3/3rds when SV D goes down . . to now Vi Jones trying to learn quickly.
Maybe Jones turns the position around BUT what a drop from SB-era White to UFA practice squad Vi Jones
The Falcons exploited that dropoff and the Bucs have nt been able to stop trams since, although great efforts against the Chiefs and 49ers
The defensive lapse was caused by cap restrictions that kept us from filling out key positions.
What about the premium picks used on defenders like Devin White, JTS, and Logan Hall. Ultimately they are Licht’s picks, but I think we both know none of those guys are selected without Bowles’ approval. The cap restrictions had nothing to do with those whiffs. Bowles, and Licht, have to wear those.
I don’t deny Bowles had influence, don’t remember if we took chances on those guys over better performers, or if those were picks that were due to draft position - reaching for need because we weren’t able to pick higher?The defensive lapse was caused by cap restrictions that kept us from filling out key positions.
What about the premium picks used on defenders like Devin White, JTS, and Logan Hall. Ultimately they are Licht’s picks, but I think we both know none of those guys are selected without Bowles’ approval. The cap restrictions had nothing to do with those whiffs. Bowles, and Licht, have to wear those.
The defensive lapse was caused by cap restrictions that kept us from filling out key positions.
What about the premium picks used on defenders like Devin White, JTS, and Logan Hall. Ultimately they are Licht’s picks, but I think we both know none of those guys are selected without Bowles’ approval. The cap restrictions had nothing to do with those whiffs. Bowles, and Licht, have to wear those.
you realize you're admitting to the inferior talent on the defense, right?
White gone
JTS and Hall basically busts
It looks like you're trying to pin that on Bowlws ("none of those guys selected without Bowles approval) but to make that argument your admitting the lack of talent
the SB team was WHITE (at his very best) and JPP and Barrett
I don’t deny Bowles had influence, don’t remember if we took chances on those guys over better performers, or if those were picks that were due to draft position - reaching for need because we weren’t able to pick higher?The defensive lapse was caused by cap restrictions that kept us from filling out key positions.
What about the premium picks used on defenders like Devin White, JTS, and Logan Hall. Ultimately they are Licht’s picks, but I think we both know none of those guys are selected without Bowles’ approval. The cap restrictions had nothing to do with those whiffs. Bowles, and Licht, have to wear those.
White I would say was Bowles or at least Arians an Bowles
but JTS and Hall are both taken at the end of 1st or beginning of second . . . NEED picks duirng the SB run
Biggs and his buddies blame Bowles for everything but at least here Biggs is HIMSELF openly admitting the lack of talent on defense. No White, JTS and Hall versus JPP and Barrett
I don’t deny Bowles had influence, don’t remember if we took chances on those guys over better performers, or if those were picks that were due to draft position - reaching for need because we weren’t able to pick higher?The defensive lapse was caused by cap restrictions that kept us from filling out key positions.
What about the premium picks used on defenders like Devin White, JTS, and Logan Hall. Ultimately they are Licht’s picks, but I think we both know none of those guys are selected without Bowles’ approval. The cap restrictions had nothing to do with those whiffs. Bowles, and Licht, have to wear those.
The overwhelming majority of the board wanted Josh Allen over Devin White. Obviously, Josh Allen is the better player and the pass rush would still be benefiting from that selection while Devin White is on his third team in 12 months.
If Allen is taken in 2019, I doubt JTS is taken in 2021. That would have freed the team up to take an interior OL in either Dickerson or Humphrey. There were a handful of us calling for Humphrey even still with that pick.
In 2022, George Karlaftis should have been the pick. He was definitely the guy I wanted and has proven to be a far superior player to Logan Hall.
The cap situation had nothing to do with these misses. On the defensive side the ball, Bowles has to own the personnel. These are his guys.
While the picks were likely ranked by Licht’s staff - who they picked and why is on them. As @bucsbits notes, the draft position heavily influenced the options.
And how cap was influenced: the talent assembled for the SB maxed out the credit card - and that did have an impact on future free agent acquisition. We’re experiencing the reality of paying off that spending spree.
it does indicate that what we’re dealing with is talent acquisition. I agree that better picks could have been made than JTS & Nelson - I thought they reached at the time. The reality is that we bought a SB but the hangover has kicked in and it caused the current state.
It’s why I think it’s not so much coaching. Sure I’m with you on in-game issues, like not taking TO’s or clock management issues - but that didn’t cause this recent losing streak. So it’s more about a lack of access to premier quality in the draft (due to draft position of winning coaches), and lack of cap space to on-board free agents - than it is about defensive schemes.
For me, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out. As It would be very hard to replace Bowles if he is able to finish 9-8/10-7.